diff --git a/package/ccache/ccache.mk b/package/ccache/ccache.mk
index 650290dce..df92c5e99 100644
--- a/package/ccache/ccache.mk
+++ b/package/ccache/ccache.mk
@@ -30,9 +30,12 @@ HOST_CCACHE_CONF_OPT += ccache_cv_zlib_1_2_3=no
 #    the compiler, because in the context of Buildroot, that completely
 #    defeats the purpose of ccache. Of course, that leaves the user
 #    responsible for purging its cache when the compiler changes.
+#  - Change hard-coded last-ditch default to match path in .config, to avoid
+#    the need to specify BR_CACHE_DIR when invoking ccache directly.
 define HOST_CCACHE_PATCH_CONFIGURATION
 	sed -i 's,getenv("CCACHE_DIR"),getenv("BR_CACHE_DIR"),' $(@D)/ccache.c
 	sed -i 's,getenv("CCACHE_COMPILERCHECK"),"none",' $(@D)/ccache.c
+	sed -i 's,"%s/.ccache","$(BR_CACHE_DIR)",' $(@D)/ccache.c
 endef
 
 HOST_CCACHE_POST_CONFIGURE_HOOKS += \